Report on the Inspection of the de Freycinet Land Camp, Shark Bay, 2005 Maritime Heritage Site Inspection Report Matthew Gainsford and Richenda Prall Assisted by Sam Bolton and Simeon Prall Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Maritime Museum Report—Department of Maritime Archaeology, Western Australian Maritime Museum, No. 196. 2005 Report on the Inspection of the de Freycinet Land Camp, Shark Bay, 2005 Contents Contents ...............................................................................................................................i List of Figures.......................................................................................................................ii Abstract ..............................................................................................................................iii Acknowledgements..............................................................................................................iii Introduction ......................................................................................................................... 1 Background......................................................................................................................... 1 Technical data..................................................................................................................... 3 Chart excerpts..................................................................................................................... 4 Description of site ................................................................................................................ 7 Defined archaeological sites................................................................................................. 8 Site identification comments ................................................................................................14 Assessment of site significance ...........................................................................................15 Management considerations................................................................................................16 Associated land sites. .........................................................................................................16 Discussion..........................................................................................................................17 Recommendations..............................................................................................................18 Further comments...............................................................................................................19 References.........................................................................................................................20 Appendix A: Survey data.....................................................................................................21 Appendix B: De Freycinet site artefacts................................................................................26 i Report on the Inspection of the de Freycinet Land Camp, Shark Bay, 2005 List of Figures Figure 1. Simeon Prall sets up one of the survey stations ........................................... Cover Figure 2. Jacques Arago’s sketch of the meeting with Aborigines at Cape Peron. The stack of muskets at the bottom left appears in the next two images. These are outside Rose de Freycinet’s tent (Arago, 1823)................................... 2 Figure 3. J. Alphonse Pellion’s painting Baie des Chiens-Marins, observatoire de L’Uranie showing Rose outside her tent (Christies, 2002: 59)............................... 2 Figure 4. A later re-drawn version of the subject (Baie des Chiens-Marins, observatoire de L’Uranie) by Pellion, removes Rose de Freycinet from the scene. This image is in the Rex Nan Kivell Collection, National Library of Australia (Christies, 2002: 60, fig. 20)................................................................. 2 Figure 5. Chart excerpt, British Admiralty 1056 ................................................................. 4 Figure 6. Chart excerpt, showing locations of the observatory, L’Uranie anchorage and campsite. Carte, de la Baie des Chiens-Marins (à la Nouvelle–Hollande) 1818 and 1803 ................................................................................................ 4 Figure 7. Chart excerpt from AUS 749 showing the Uranie campsite .................................. 5 Figure 8. Aerial image of the Shark Bay area. (Shark Bay mosaic. DLI JOB#: 4229/04–05. Courtesy of the Department of Land Information [DLI]).................... 5 Figure 9. National Topographic Map Series, 1: 100 000, 1546 Denham, Edition 1 1974 ...... 6 Figure 10. Panoramic of the Uranie campsite (M. Gainsford)................................................ 8 Figure 11. Button (PP 4561) from the Uranie campsite (M. Gainsford).................................. 9 Figure 12. Button (PP 4561) from the Uranie campsite (M. Gainsford).................................. 9 Figure 13. Musket ball (M. Gainsford) ...............................................................................10 Figure 14. Lead washer (M. Gainsford) .............................................................................10 Figure 15. Lead washer, musket ball and button (M. Gainsford)..........................................10 Figure 16. A view most likely showing part of the campsite (Christies, 2002: 61)..................11 Figure 17. Nouvelle Hollande. Etude des dunes & falaises de la presqu’île Péron à la baie des Chiens-Marins (Christies, 2002: 62) ..............................................12 Figure 18. Contour digital terrain model of the designated site area (S. Prall).......................12 Figure 19. Uranie camp on Peron Peninsula (M. Gainsford)................................................13 Figure 20. Close up of Uranie camp: points taken during survey. (1:25 000 Topographic Vector Data, August and October 2002. Datum: GDA94. Courtesy of DLI.).....................................................................13 Figure 21. Aerial image of Cape Peron and De Freycinet camp. (1:25 000 Topographic Vector Data, August and October 2002. Datum: GDA94. Courtesy of DLI.).....................................................................14 Figure 22. Pearling camp GPS outline points. (1:25 000 Topographic Vector Data, August and October 2002. Datum: GDA94. Courtesy of DLI.).....................................................................17 ii Report on the Inspection of the de Freycinet Land Camp, Shark Bay, 2005 Abstract French explorers are synonymous with the history of Western Australia; many explorers mapped the coast and made detailed studies of the flora, fauna and celestial bodies on their voyage around the coast. One notable explorer was Louis de Freycinet whose voyage on the vessel L’Uranie became more famous from his wife’s presence, and her letters, which chronicled their voyage around the world and their stay in Shark Bay. The purpose of the survey expedition was to; research, identify and survey the Uranie campsite using non-disturbance methodology; increase the knowledge of the de Freycinet’s and their camp; protect the de Freycinet campsite on the Peron Peninsula by informed recommendations on the future of the site; and, determine whether more field operations should be conducted. The survey was conducted using a Leica total station and photography to map the artefacts found earlier and recovered by the finders; map the main features of the site; and, to then determine an area for protection. These aims were achieved. The site was also determined to be one of the Uranie landing sites and as such has been recommended for protection under the State Maritime Archaeology Act 1973. Further recommendations have been put forward including the possibility of test excavations at certain locations and the investigation of associated archaeological sites. Public awareness and access issues have also been addressed. Acknowledgements This fieldwork would not have been possible without the help of the Shire of Shark Bay Staff: in particular the Shire President, Mr Les Moss, and Shire CEO, Mark Hook. Other thanks go to Conservation and Land Management (CALM), coordinated by field staff Alan Kendrick and Owen Massenbauer; Arthur Pepper (of Shark Bay); Sim Prall (Surveyor); and, Samantha Bolton (archaeologist) from the University of Western Australia (UWA). Also, thanks go to Fugro Airborne Surveys for the loan of a DGPS unit for the duration of the fieldwork. iii Report on the Inspection of the de Freycinet Land Camp, Shark Bay, 2005 Introduction The purpose of this site inspection was to: a) Research, identify and survey the Uranie campsite using non-disturbance methodology; b) Increase the knowledge of the de Freycinet’s and their camp; c) Protect the de Freycinet campsite on the Peron Peninsula by informed recommendations on the future of the Uranie Campsite; and d) Determine whether more field operations should be conducted at the site. Background Historical background The French corvette Uranie departed on its voyage of discovery from France on 17 September 1817 with a crew of 125 men under the command of Louis de Freycinet. The main task of the expedition was to increase the world’s knowledge of physical geography, undertake astrological observations at chosen sites around the world and carry out research on the shape of the earth. It was also intended to undertake studies of the various human societies